What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
JUNAGADH: The 2.32-km long ropeway built at a cost of Rs 135 crore in Junagarh’s Girnar has enabled the people to seek the blessings of Maa Amba and become a huge hit among the pilgrims as it provides first of its kind virtual reality experience.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated this groundbreaking project on May 7, 2007 when he was Gujarat Chief Minister. The ropeway was inaugurated by Modi and then Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on October 24, 2020.
According to Junagarh District Magistrate Rachit Raj, the ropeway is a huge hit among the pilgrims visiting Maa Amba temple located on Mount Girnar in Junagadh, which is 1,069 meters above the sea level.
The DM said that Girnar ropeway which is also called udan khatola, is one of India’s biggest and one of the largest passenger ropeway projects in Asia constructed on Mount Girnar, the tallest mountain of the state.
Raj said that since the operations of the Asia’s one of the highest ropeway started in Junagadh in October 2020, over 10 lakh people have used the services of the same.
He said that the ropeway covers a distance of 2.3 km in under 7.5 minutes. The ropeway offers a spectacular perspective of the lush greenery that surrounds the mountain.
Commenting on how pilgrims used to travel earlier taking the stairs, Raj said, “Earlier, the only option to visit Girnar Mountain was by climbing over 9,000 stairs. Now, the ropeway has given another facility to devotees. Earlier, it used to take 5-6 hours to travel to the temple, but now, it takes only a few minutes.”
The Girnar ropeway was built at a cost of Rs 135 crore. The DM said that the ropeway has given a boost to adventure activities.
According to the Gujarat government, the ropeway has nine towers, which comprise 25 cabins, including one glass-floored cabin, each having a capacity to carry eight passengers at a time.
The ropeway has the capacity to carry 800 passengers in an hour, and 8,000 in a day.
Raj also said that as Junagadh falls in Sasan Gir (only abode in the world of the Asiatic lions), Somnath and Diu tourism circuit, the area is witnessing multifold impact on tourism activities in the region due to the ropeway project.
Commenting on the restoration, development and conservation of the historic Uparkot fort of Junagadh, the District Magistrate said that the work is in full swing and it will be completed in coming months.
He said that the Junagadh fort complex includes, among other structures, the central dome called Ranakdevino Mahal, Buddhist caves, two step-wells named Adikadi Vav and Navghan Kuvo, a giant granary, an armoury, the main entry gate etc.
He said that as part of the restoration and development project, the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat (TCGL) is also developing a walkway along the fort complex and make arrangements for light-and-sound-show.
Commenting on the projects in Gujarat, Virender Sachdeva, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) good governance cell said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the government is focusing on enhancing the facilities for the pilgrims as well as the tourists planning to visit Junagadh, which holds historical significance.
“The restoration of Uparkot fort of Junagadh will add more tourist destinations for the people planning to visit the Junagadh district in Gujarat,” Sachdeva said.
